When you become invisible you can make a stealth check to hide.

[Kzach]

Umm... what?

I've read the invisibility rules over a few times and I still just don't get it. How the hell can you be invisible, and yet not be hidden?

Can someone explain this to me in very slow, monosyllabic sentences so that I can comprehend what the frig they were thinking when they made up those rules?

 

[Jhaelen]

Umm... what?

I've read the invisibility rules over a few times and I still just don't get it. How the hell can you be invisible, and yet not be hidden?

Can someone explain this to me in very slow, monosyllabic sentences so that I can comprehend what the frig they were thinking when they made up those rules?

The explanation is easy: There are more senses than just vision.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yep an invisible creature is not totally 'un-detected'. You know which square they are in (unlike 3E< let it go brother!) automatically unless they succeed at a stealth check.
Invisibility gives you: CA vs enemies; enemies a penalty to hit; you don't provoke OA AND (drum roll please) the opportunity to make a stealth check without having to be in total concealment. Invisibility is basically 'total concealment'.

Make sense?

 

[Iron Sky]

Invisibility gives you: ... the opportunity to make a stealth check without having to be in total concealment...

Note that by the revised stealth rules, you still need to make a stealth check as part of a move action. Unless, of course, you have the Assassin's Cloak feat(IIRC) that allows you to make a stealth check whenever you go invisible.

 

[Stalker0]

I think of 4e invisibility like the Predator's invisibility from the movie. You are really transparent, but you still have that hazy outline that can be seen.

 

[CapnZapp]

That works, but it really isn't needed - the "there's more senses than vision" really provides sufficient rationale.

Does this mean 4E is the first D&D edition where people actually make noise when they move around (probably in plate mail with dozens of pieces, carrying another dozen easily-accessible items, as well as a third dozen bads and pouches filled with loot? )

 

[FireLance]

Does this mean 4E is the first D&D edition where people actually make noise when they move around (probably in plate mail with dozens of pieces, carrying another dozen easily-accessible items, as well as a third dozen bads and pouches filled with loot? )

No, the DM could always require you to roll a Move Silently check vs. your opponent's Listen check in 3e.

 

[CapnZapp]

Sure, but it wasn't made so explicit.

If you just read the spell text of Invisibility, you wouldn't be immediately reminded of any such limitations.

 

[Infiniti2000]

The key rules text, btw, is "If an invisible creature is not hidden from you, you can hear it or sense some other sign of its presence and therefore know what space it occupies, although you still can’t see it."

 

[JoeNotCharles]

Umm... what?

I've read the invisibility rules over a few times and I still just don't get it. How the hell can you be invisible, and yet not be hidden?

Can someone explain this to me in very slow, monosyllabic sentences so that I can comprehend what the frig they were thinking when they made up those rules?

If you fail your Stealth check, you knock over a lamp.